English 9 is designed for freshman students to strengthen their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Units of study include novels, short stories, essays, and poetry. Students will focus on literary forms and elements and develop narrative, explanatory, and argumentative writing skills. Students will have the opportunity to complete both reading and writing work samples for their graduation requirement.

This course is designed for sophomores to develop their writing and comprehension skills as a continuation of skills learned in English 9. Writing techniques will be learned and practiced with a variety of assignments including expository, creative, and persuasive. Students will explore several types of literature, which include short stories, novels and poetry. In addition, all students will work on speaking and discussion skills. A moderate amount of homework is required on a regular basis, and students are expected to complete all assignments. Students will prepare work samples for their graduation requirement.

This course is for students who have demonstrated above average reading and writing abilities. All aspects of the sophomore English curriculum are emphasized at an accelerated pace. Students will explore several types of literature, which include short stories, novels, poetry and drama. Students will explore several writing modes ranging from expository to persuasive in preparation for the graduation requirement. Outside reading and homework on a regular basis is required. Students will prepare work samples for their graduation requirement.

This course will focus on the study of American literature and the humanities. Reading, writing, and discussion skills are emphasized. Student writing skills are developed through expository and persuasive writing assignments. Regular homework assignments are required. Literature includes novels, short stories, poetry, essays, and drama. Students will prepare work samples for their graduation requirement. This is a year-long course.

This course is a survey of American literature with an emphasis on major authors and the American novel. There will be an emphasis on reading, critical thinking, writing, and literary analysis. The curriculum is fast paced, with a demanding reading schedule. Students need to be reading and writing above grade level to be successful. Students will continue to prepare work samples for their graduation requirement. This is a year-long course.

AP English Language and Composition is a college level writing course designed to prepare students to read critically and write convincingly. Students will master the concepts of rhetoric, rhetorical grammar, and the art of argument, and apply those concepts to their own writing and the writings of others.

Writings will be both formal and informal. Readings will focus primarily on American Literature, through a wide variety of cultures, time periods, and genres (including film, music, and visual arts). Students will prepare to take the AP exam in English Language and Composition. There will be a mandatory summer academic requirement. This is a year-long course.

AP Literature and Composition includes extensive study of representative literary works from various genres, periods, and cultures. Students will read to understand a work’s complexity, to absorb its richness and meaning, and to analyze how that meaning is embodied in literary form. Writing is an integral part of this course, focusing on expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. There will be a mandatory summer academic requirement. This is a year-long course.

This course focuses on reading a variety of literature from different parts of the world, different times in history, and different cultural groups in order to continue building students’ comprehension and critical thinking skills. In addition, students will continue to strengthen their reading, writing and communication skills in order to prepare them for life beyond the high school classroom. A moderate amount of homework is required on a regular basis. Writing opportunities are central to the course, with skills developed through frequent writing assignments. Students will complete work samples for their graduation requirement, if needed.

This course focuses on reading a variety of literature from different parts of the world, different times in history, and different cultural groups, with an emphasis on reading, critical thinking, writing, and literary analysis. The curriculum is fast paced, with a very demanding reading schedule. Outside reading and homework will be required on a regular basis. Students need to be reading and writing above grade level to be successful, and students should have all Language Arts writing and reading work sample requirements completed.

Humanities is a survey of Western and Eastern civilizations and requires sophisticated and creative manipulation of the language arts, and active class participation. Special emphasis is placed on

expository writing and literary analysis. The course is an exploration of literature, philosophy, drama

and fine arts as seen in ancient and classical culture, the Medieval and Renaissance periods, the Enlightenment, and into the Modern Age. In addition, students are required to complete a Cultural Exploration project that runs the duration of the course.